Wake, just after seven, with a sudden, tightening feeling of comprehensive anxiety. For a while I feel quite immobilised.

This weight does not lift until after I’ve washed, dressed, exercised (without enthusiasm), breakfasted and left for Prominent Studios to meet Bobby Bir­chall, the designer we’ve chosen for the ‘Palin’s Pacific’ book.

I have committed to a nine­-part travel series, and a book to go with it, both of which have already paid me an advance. I have two people, well three, with Kath, waiting to hear what I have to say about book, design, working together. I have two options – one, to run screaming from the room, the other to run the meeting.

I run the meeting.